Photography is an art form that has been around for centuries. With the advent of digital photography, it has become easier than ever for people to capture beautiful images. Photo experts like Bruce Weber Photographer, are helping to keep this medium alive by teaching the next generation of photographers.
The Basics of Photography
Photography is a relatively expensive hobby, so it can be intimidating to get started. A good DSLR camera with interchangeable lenses will run you several hundred dollars, and additional equipment is necessary for certain types of photography (such as taking pictures in low light). If you are serious about pursuing this course of study, make sure that you have the necessary funds before you begin.
Study photography magazines, join photographic societies, and experiment with your camera to develop an aesthetic that will help you stick out from the crowd. Study your favorite photos closely to see how the photographer got different effects; for example, if one of your favorite pictures is black and white, look at what time of day it was taken to see how the shadows fall.
Most beginners will take pictures that are too dark or too light because they do not realize that there is a “reciprocal relationship” between shutter speed and aperture (in other words, if you change one setting, the other must change as well). For example, if you want to make your photo darker, either open your aperture or slow down your shutter speed. If you want to brighten up a photo, either close your aperture and use a faster shutter speed.
The Components of a Digital Camera
There are two main components to a digital camera: the lens and the sensor. The best lenses for beginners will have an aperture of f/2.8 or lower, which will allow more light to hit the sensor during low-light conditions.
The size of the image sensor is directly related to pixel density or how much information can be packed into each square inch. This is important because the larger your sensor, the more control you have over depth of field (or how much or how little of the photo is in focus).
Professional photographers use DSLRs instead of point-and-shoots for their increased durability and superior image quality, but these are only necessary if you are aiming to capture images that can be blown up into extremely large prints.
Taking Photos in Different Settings
Natural light is the most flattering type of lighting for portraits, so always try to take pictures outdoors whenever possible. Even on gloomy days, the low angle of the sun will give your subject a naturally lit face and hair as long as they are facing you.
If you want to capture a dramatic effect, taking a picture with your back to the sun will create shadows on your face that are extremely flattering for photographic purposes.
If you want to take pictures of people who live in very different climates, learn how to adjust the white balance manually before you start snapping shots. This setting tells your camera what type of light is being used so that it can compensate accordingly.
Editing and Processing Photos
The average household printer is not capable of reproducing the level of detail found in high-quality photos, so always try to take your pictures at the highest resolution possible. You can then reduce them down if necessary for use on the web or other devices.
Most digital cameras come with basic editing features built in, but these are rarely enough for high-quality photo shoots. This is where an application like Photoshop comes in handy; it affords you the ability to “clean up” imperfections, make colors pop, and brighten or darken different parts of your image as necessary.
Digital photography is a great way to capture memories and moments. With a little practice, you can become a master of this art form.